Scientific Name: Themeda triandra

Common Name: kangaroo grass

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Poaceae

Form Description: Deep rooted tussocky perennial grass.

Flowers: Stalked clusters of green and purple spikelets with long purple bracts, rusty-brown when ripe.

Fruit: Caryopsis

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationGrassland
Habitat Notes

May be seen in large patches along roadsides and in openings in the forest where the stocking rate is low, sea level to alpine and sub-alpine.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

With direct seeding, herbicides may be needed in weed-infested areas. Provides moderate forage value, and a useful green ‘pick’ after summer rainfall. Valuable for stock fodder when other more palatable grasses have been consumed. It does not persist well under heavy grazing and has been out-competed by other grasses, many introduced, especially with increased soil fertility levels. Bird attracting. Seed is food for finches and parrots. Provides habitat for ground dwelling animals skinks, insects and mammals. Also frog habitat. Koori (mainland) use: leaves and stems were used to make string for fishing nets; sometimes used in basket weaving (contemporary).

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Fertile spikelets have long twisting awns, but only one produces a grain. Seed is dropped soon after maturity. If seed is released with gentle pressure when the awn is pulled they are mature. Dry in paper bags.

Seed Treatment Method

Storage Stratification at 3-5°C for up to 3 months may improve results. Place seed in a damp medium, lightly covered. Put moist seeds in a plastic bag and store in the fridge. , Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Treatment Notes

Storage for 1 month (Ralph) or 6-11 months (Stelling) may be needed to overcome dormancy. To direct seed, lay the seed-bearing stalks thickly during late summer/early autumn. Over winter the seed work their way into the soil. Burn the remaining stalk material in spring and the seedlings should emerge.

Germination Time

2-14 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Propagated by division in spring when the plant has resumed growing, after a period of winter dormancy.